Transportation Permits

What we do:

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has discretionary authority with respect to highways under its jurisdiction, may, upon application and if good cause appears, issue a special permit to operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles or special mobile equipment of a size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum limitations specified in the California Vehicle Code. The Caltrans Transportation Permits Issuance Branch is responsible for the issuance of these special transportation permits for oversize/overweight vehicles on the State Highway System.

2015 National Distracted Driving Enforcment: April 10-15, 2015. YOU DRIVE. YOU TEXT. YOU PAY. (read more...)SENATE BILL 1175 - CHANGES TO MOTORSPORTS EXEMPTION (New-Motorsports Requirements)Effective January 01, 2015, SB 1175 will extend the current motorsports exemption and would require a permit issued by the Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
The bill language is posted on the California Legislative Information website at: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov, or view SB1175 here.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AN OVERSIZE OR OVERWEIGHT PERMIT:

1

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for an oversize or overweight (or "extralegal") permit, the main criterion is that the load be non-reducible, that is, that it cannot be reduced down and transported in a legal vehicle.

Variance permits are for vehicles over 15 feet in width, 17 feet or more in height, over 135 feet in length, or on special hauling equipment which exceeds the Department's standard method of weight classification.

Variance Contact Info: Phone: (916) 323-2893, Fax: (916) 322-1505

6

QUESTIONS

For questions about oversize and overweight permits, you may call the Permits office or click on: Permits Office.

Permits Info: Phone: (916) 322-1297

7

LEGAL
(NON-PERMITTED)
SIZE & WEIGHT

If it's determined that you are not eligible for an extralegal permit, you may contact Caltrans Legal Truck Access Branch staff to discuss legal truck size and weight requirements.

Over the last couple of years, there seems to be some confusion about the application on two of the California Department of Transportationís (Departmentís) policies: use of platform trailers and Repetitive Permit. The following is provided to clarify these policies and ensure consistent interpretation and application.

Platform Trailers

The California Department of Transportationís long standing policy is conventional trailers must be used when possible on California highways. This policy was discussed and agreed to by representatives of the trucking industry through the Caltrans Advisory Committee (CAC), more than 10 years ago.

However, platform trailers may be allowed only as the last resort in situations where conventional hauling equipment cannot be used. Approval to use platform type trailers requires a policy exemption. The customer is responsible for explaining why conventional hauling equipment cannot be used and providing supporting documentation.

Policy exemptions are considered on a case-by-case basis. If an exemption to use platform trailers is approved, the customer will be required to mitigate the impacts that platform trailers may have on California highways. This may include the following costs: